Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Acadian Timber Fourth Quarter 2024 Analyst Conference Call and webcast. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question during the session, you would need to press star one one on your telephone. You will then hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please press star one one again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to your speaker today, Susan Wood, Chief Financial Officer. Please go ahead.
Thank you, Operator. Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to Acadian Timber's Fourth Quarter Conference Call. With me on the call today is Adam Sheparski, Acadian's President and Chief Executive Officer. Before discussing Acadian's results, I will first remind everyone that in discussing our fourth quarter and full-year financial and operating performance, the outlook for 2025, and responding to your questions, we may make forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, and future results may differ materially. For further information on our known risk factors, I encourage you to review our news release and MD&A, which are available on SEDAR and on our website at acadiantimber.com. I'll begin by outlining the financial and operational highlights for our fourth quarter ended December 31st, 2024. Adam will then comment on our results for the year, activities undertaken early in 2025, and our outlook for the remainder of the year.
Acadian experienced steady fourth quarter results with overall timber sales volumes, excluding biomass, consistent with the same period of 2023. However, pricing was impacted by changes in product mix and weak end-use markets, resulting in lower sales as compared to the same quarter of 2023. Sales for the fourth quarter were CAD 20.3 million compared to CAD 23.8 million in the prior year period. In New Brunswick, a favorable change in customer mix shifted harvesting volumes from Crown-licensed timberlands to our freehold timberlands, increasing our freehold sales and decreasing our timber services revenue. New Brunswick experienced improved contractor availability and increased volumes. However, contractor availability remained a significant challenge in Maine. Volumes were also impacted by unfavorable weather conditions stemming from a late start to winter conditions and longer-than-usual customer shutdowns due to the timing of holidays.
Softwood saw log pricing decreased 5% as compared to the prior year period due to a lower value product mix and weakness in end-use markets. Hardwood saw log pricing decreased 10%, primarily due to weakness in end-use markets. Softwood pulpwood pricing decreased 11% as a result of abundant regional saw mill residuals impacting demand and pricing. Hardwood pulpwood pricing increased 3% as compared to the prior year period due to a favorable customer mix. Biomass sales volumes were relatively consistent with Q4 2023. However, biomass pricing decreased 63% due to more roadside sales versus delivered sales compared to the prior year period. Overall, weighted average selling price, excluding biomass, decreased 5% year -over -year. However, it is also worth noting that the weighted average selling price increased 6% from Q3 2024, demonstrating recent stability.
Operating costs and expenses were $17 million during the fourth quarter compared to $19.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2023. Increased costs related to increased freehold harvesting activity were offset by lower timber services activity and lower land management costs. Weighted average variable costs, excluding biomass, were flat as compared to the prior year period. Greater hauling distances and increased contractor rates were offset by a higher proportion of softwood products, which carry lower variable costs as well as lower fuel adjustment costs. Also contributing to our fourth quarter results was the sale of 1,800 acres of timberlands. In October 2024, Acadian entered into an agreement to sell approximately 2,100 acres, of which 1,800 acres closed in November 2024 for gross proceeds of $1.1 million and a net gain of $300,000. The remainder of the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025.
Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was CAD 3.7 million compared to CAD 4.4 million in the prior year period, and adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter was 18% compared to 19% in the prior year period. Our net income for the fourth quarter totaled CAD 5.6 million or CAD 0.32 per share compared to CAD 11.6 million or CAD 0.68 per share in the same period of 2023. The decrease in net income was largely due to the impact of lower gains on non-cash fair value adjustments in 2024 compared to 2023, partially offset by lower income tax expense. Acadian generated CAD 3.1 million of free cash flow and declared dividends of CAD 5.1 million to our shareholders during the fourth quarter, or CAD 0.29 per share.
I'll now move into the fourth quarter results for our New Brunswick operations. Sales for our New Brunswick timberlands were CAD 19.2 million compared to CAD 19.8 million during the prior year period.
Sales volume, excluding biomass, increased 7% compared to the prior year period, primarily due to increased contractor availability and a favorable change in customer mix, which shifted harvesting volumes from Crown-licensed timberlands to our freehold timberlands, increasing our freehold sales and decreasing our timber services revenue, partially offset by unfavorable weather conditions and longer-than-usual customer shutdowns due to the timing of holidays. With regard to softwood sawlogs, demand remained steady and volumes increased 21% compared to Q4 2023 due to the favorable shift in customer mix previously mentioned. Pricing decreased 7% due to a lower value product mix combined with weakness in end-use markets. Demand and pricing for hardwood sawlogs was negatively impacted by weakness in end-use markets. Sales volumes decreased 23% and pricing decreased 9% as compared to the same period in the prior year.
Abundant regional saw mill residuals impacted demand and pricing for softwood pulpwood, with sales volumes 19% lower and pricing 11% lower than the prior year period. Hardwood pulpwood volumes increased 10% as compared to Q4 2023, and pricing increased 3% due to a favorable customer mix. Overall, for New Brunswick, the weighted average selling price, excluding biomass, decreased 6% as compared to Q4 2023. Operating costs and expenses were CAD 13.4 million during the fourth quarter compared to CAD 14.9 million in the prior year period. Increased freehold harvesting activity and increased weighted average variable costs were offset by lower timber services activity. Weighted average variable costs, excluding biomass, increased 2% as a result of greater hauling distances for saw logs and higher contractor rates, partially offset by lower fuel adjustment costs.
New Brunswick's adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was CAD 4.2 million compared to CAD 4.9 million in the prior year period.
Adjusted EBITDA margin was 24% compared to 25% in the prior year period. Switching over to Maine, sales during the fourth quarter totaled $3 million compared to $4 million in the same period last year. Sales volume, excluding biomass, decreased 29% compared to the same period of 2023, also being impacted by unfavorable weather conditions stemming from a late start to winter conditions and longer-than-usual customer shutdowns due to the timing of holidays. Contractor availability issues persisted through the fourth quarter. Softwood saw log volumes decreased 5%, although pricing increased 2% in U.S. dollar terms. Hardwood saw log volumes were negligible during the fourth quarter of the year. Softwood pulpwood volumes were also negligible in Maine due to the extended shutdown of a major softwood pulpwood customer. Hardwood pulpwood volumes decreased 51%, although pricing also increased 2% in U.S. dollar terms.
The weighted average selling price, excluding biomass, in U.S. dollar terms was consistent with the same quarter in the prior year. Operating costs and expenses for the fourth quarter were CAD 3.3 million compared to CAD 4.2 million during the same period in 2023 as a result of lower harvesting activity, partially offset by higher variable costs. Weighted average variable costs, excluding biomass, increased 3% primarily as a result of greater hauling distances and the impacts of foreign exchange. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was -CAD 200,000, consistent with Q4 2023, and adjusted EBITDA margin was - 7% compared to - 4% in the prior year period. With respect to Acadian 's financial position at the end of the quarter, it remained strong, ending with a net liquidity position of CAD 29.3 million, including a cash balance of CAD 15.3 million and our revolving credit facilities, which remain undrawn.
A portion of our long-term debt totaling CAD 46 million is scheduled to mature in March of 2025. In December 2024, we signed a term sheet to refinance the maturing debt under essentially the same terms as the existing facilities, but with higher interest rates stemming from the current interest rate environment. With that, I will now turn the call over to Adam.
Thank you, Susan, and good afternoon, everyone. As Susan mentioned, I will first comment on our 2024 results, then move into discussing some activities we have already undertaken in 2025, and finish by discussing our outlook for the rest of the year. As always, Acadian remains committed to health and safety as our number one priority. During the fourth quarter, there were two recordable safety incidents among our contractors. These were minor incidents that resulted in minimal lost time. As we have said before, we believe that emphasizing and achieving an excellent safety record is a leading indicator of success in the broader business, and incident reduction continues to be a primary focus for Acadian. 2024 was a busy year with several notable achievements. In total, Acadian's 2024 sales were CAD 116.2 million compared to CAD 93.5 million in 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA totaled CAD 38.9 million compared to CAD 20.6 million in 2023, and adjusted EBITDA margin was 33% compared to 22% in the prior year. We generated record free cash flow of CAD 29.7 million for 2024 compared to CAD 15 million last year and declared dividends of CAD 20.3 million to our shareholders. Moving into our timber operations, we achieved solid results in 2024 despite the challenges posed to our customers by weakened end-use markets. Timber sales and services were CAD 91.6 million in 2024 compared to CAD 93.5 million in 2023. Timber sales volumes, excluding biomass, increased 16% year -over -year, but was offset by a decrease in our weighted average selling price and lower timber services activity. New Brunswick continued making progress, increasing contractor capacity throughout the year. However, limited progress was made in Maine, and contractor availability and elevated costs remained an issue.
Although unseasonably warm weather prevented the ground from freezing and somewhat hindered operations in both the first and fourth quarters, operating conditions were generally favorable for the rest of the year. Our weighted average selling price for 2024 was 5% lower than 2023 as a result of changes in product mix and weak end-use markets. Softwood saw log pricing was impacted by changes in product mix and softwood lumber pricing, which remained below historical averages for much of the year. Softwood pulpwood demand started strong early in the year, but was curbed in the second half of the year by abundant regional saw mill residuals, and pricing remained stable. Weakness in hardwood lumber markets put downward pressure on hardwood saw log prices, but demand for Acadian's hardwood saw logs remained stable.
Hardwood pulpwood demand was steady through 2024, while pricing decreased as a result of shorter hauling distances as compared to the prior year. Greater softwood saw log hauling distances and higher contractor rates increased variable costs, but were partially offset by changes in product mix and lower fuel adjustment costs. This year, we introduced an Environmental Solutions segment, which currently consists of our carbon credit project in Maine. During 2024, we sold nearly all of the first tranche of registered voluntary carbon credits related to the project. The sales were comprised of approximately 752,000 voluntary carbon credits at an average price of approximately $24 U.S. The sale of carbon credits contributed CAD 24.6 million to total sales. 2024 saw a significant amount of real estate activity for Acadian .
In March, we completed the acquisition of approximately 16,000 acres of timberland in New Brunswick at a price of CAD 9 million.
The timberlands are close in proximity to Acadian's existing operations and customer base. The property is well stocked, benefiting from historical silviculture investments, which will allow Acadian to expand its harvesting operations. The property also presents significant potential for revenue diversification through other land use opportunities. During 2025, we expect to begin both harvesting operations and realizing revenue through other land use opportunities, which includes residential lot sales on this property. As Susan mentioned, we also entered into an agreement to sell approximately 2,100 acres of timberland. The land included in the disposition is composed of smaller parcels of relatively low operational or strategic value to Acadian and demonstrates our focus on maximizing the value derived from our assets. As we have discussed previously, we have increased our activity surrounding opportunities within the renewable energy sector.
In February 2024, Acadian executed an agreement for the option to lease approximately 10,000 acres of its Maine timberlands. The agreement includes multiple leasing terms with escalating fees if progress is made on the project. The incremental cash flows attributable to the initial terms are modest. However, should the project reach the construction term, which will take several years, the incremental cash flows may become material to Acadian. In November of 2024, Acadian installed a meteorological tower to collect wind data on our New Brunswick timberlands. This investment will deepen our understanding of the wind power potential on our land base, which we already understand to be considerable and enable further exploration of the opportunities available to Acadian to participate in the renewable energy sector in New Brunswick. We have already been busy in 2025.
As noted in our press release and annual report, since year-end, we have established our own harvesting operation in Maine with the goal of expanding our harvesting capacity and reducing operating costs. In January 2025, subsequent to year-end, Acadian completed the purchase of several pieces of new harvesting equipment and hired equipment operators who have already begun harvesting on our Maine timberlands. Three days ago, on February 10th, Acadian signed an agreement to purchase certain logging and related assets of A&A Brochu to further expand its internal harvesting operations. The assets include harvesting, trucking, roadworking equipment, and related real estate, which, combined with an established workforce, constitute a turnkey logging operation in Maine. A&A Brochu and its employees have provided contracting services to Acadian for many years. The employees are familiar with our land base, and we are excited to welcome them to the Acadian team.
The transaction is expected to close later in the first quarter. Turning to our outlook for the remainder of 2025, near-term pressures on end-use markets persist, and potential tariffs are causing concern among forest product companies in both the U.S. and Canada. We are evaluating the impacts that could be felt by Acadian and its customers and the alternative strategies that may be available should tariffs be imposed. However, with the many dynamics that come into play, including the greater economic outlook, the ultimate impacts cannot be known at this time. North American interest rates and inflation continue to ease, and the consensus forecast for U.S. housing starts is steady at approximately 1.36 million starts in 2025, as compared to 1.35 million in 2024.
We therefore remain confident that the stability of the northeastern forestry sector, combined with the long-term necessity for new homes and repair and remodel activity, will support the long-term demand for our products, as has been demonstrated in recent years. The sufficient contractor availability achieved in New Brunswick in 2024 through the hard work of our team is expected to continue into 2025. Through the establishment of our own harvesting operations in Maine, we expect the persistent issue of contractor availability to be addressed, and we expect to increase production in Maine in 2025. Production levels are expected to improve throughout the year, and we should start to see variable cost improvements in the back half of 2025. Near-term hardwood and softwood saw log demand is expected to remain stable, while pricing may remain challenged until end-use markets improve.
Demand and pricing for softwood pulpwood is expected to remain at reduced levels in the near term due to abundant regional saw mill residuals, and hardwood pulpwood is expected to be steady. With respect to voluntary carbon credits, demand and pricing are expected to remain stable for credits from quality projects. After selling nearly all of our current registered credits in 2024, our inventories are expected to be replenished in the near term. The registration process for the second and third tranches of carbon credits for the ongoing project is expected to result in approximately 350,000 credits in total and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025. The protocol for developing compliance carbon credits for managed forest in Canada was finalized during the year.
Acadian is evaluating the opportunities to develop eligible carbon credits that the compliance protocol may present in conjunction with the opportunities that exist under the current protocols and is in the process of designing our next projects. We expect to remain busy with real estate throughout 2025 as we begin to sell some of our residential lots and continue to focus on further investments and partnerships in renewable energy in both Maine and New Brunswick. In closing, 2025 is off to a good start, and Mother Nature seems to be cooperating. We are energized by the startup of our own harvesting operation in Maine and look forward to a productive year ahead. Through 2025, we will remain focused on safety and environmental performance while obtaining the highest margins available for our products and making improvements throughout the business to maximize cash flows.
At Acadian, we have a remarkable asset base and outstanding people. Guided by the principles of sustainable forest management, we will continue to advance opportunities to deliver long-term value to our shareholders. With that, we are now available to take your questions. Operator?
Thank you. Our first question will come from Matthew McKellar with RBC. Your line is now open.
Thanks very much. Good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. First, I'd like to start out just asking about internalizing your harvesting operations in Maine. Between the equipment you purchased in January and then the further acquisition of assets that came with the workforce from A&A Brochu, are you now essentially at the scale you expect to be at as sort of your new run rate there, or are you still sort of scaling up operations? Do you plan to acquire further equipment? What are your plans from here? Thanks.
Yeah, we believe that the equipment we purchased, either on our own or through the acquisition that's supposed to close will close in Q1, we're at scale. We believe that through those acquisitions, we're going to be able to harvest the volumes that we need to achieve our plans and our expected cuts in the future.
Okay, thanks. Is there a way to think about how much of the harvesting, maybe in terms of volumes, you'll be doing with your own operations maybe by the end of the year? Just to confirm, I heard that you're looking to harvest sort of in line with your longer-term plans in Maine as you sort of ramp up there. Is that correct?
That's correct on the second part. I would say most, if not all, of the harvesting will be done internally moving forward, Matthew. We may pulse in some contractors if necessary, but with what we've acquired, we will be able to do most, if not all, of our harvesting, most, if not all, of our roadwork. We may need to rely on some trucking contractors, but that hasn't been a significant issue for us in Maine over the last number of years. We are not too concerned about building up on the trucking side right yet.
Great. That's very helpful. If I could just sneak one last one in. You talked about building out your real estate capabilities. Sounds like you have a fair bit in your pipeline there. Just at a high level, how should we think about what progress you're likely to make on this front in 2025, whether it's across kind of developing those residential lot sales, renewable energy leases, or other opportunities?
Yeah, it's a great question. Real estate takes, certainly not over the last year or two, real estate takes some time to develop out, and we've been working very diligently over the last year or two. We expect to see some results, as I pointed out on the residential lot side. Certainly expect to see some of that. I would also, if our plans continue at the current pace, I suspect we'll be in front of you announcing some other plans that we have in the works, either on the renewable side or on the real estate development side in both New Brunswick and Maine. Nothing to announce today, but it's really hard to get out in front of it. We need to do a little bit more work, but we're making progress on a fairly good pipeline at this point.
Great. We'll look forward to that. Thanks very much. I'll turn it back.
Thanks, Matthew.
I show no further questions at this time. I would like to turn the call back over to Adam for any closing remarks.
Great. On behalf of the Board and management of Acadian, I would like to thank all of our shareholders for their ongoing support. Thank you. Stay safe, and we look forward to you joining us on our virtual Annual General Meeting and First Quarter of 2025 Conference Call, both on May 8th. Goodbye.
This concludes today's conference call. Thank you for participating. You may now disconnect.